[♪♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> WE WILL MEET THAT DEADLINE.

>> HOW VICE-PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS SPENT HER DAY IN CHICAGO AS THE CITY AGREES TO MEET THE WHITE HOUSE'S PLAN FOR COVID VACCINE ELIGIBILITY.

>> AND WHAT THE COVID SURGE MEANS FOR EXPANDING THE VACCINE ROLLOUT IN CHICAGO AND ILLINOIS.

>> OUR FOCUS IS ON ENGAGING WITH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS.

>> IS A BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN LIKELY TO HAPPEN?

LOCAL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WEIGH-IN.

>> AFTER A DRAMATIC FALL IN RIDERSHIP CAUSED BY THE PANDEMIC WE DISCUSS THE FUTURE FOR LOCAL PUBLIC TRANSIT.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET SOMETHING THAT THIS COMMUNITY IS GOING TO BE PROUD OF.

>> AS A TWO-DECADE OVERHAUL AFT MICHAEL REESE SITE MOVE FORWARD HOW DEVELOPERS AND DESIGNERS ARE WORKING TO CREATE COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS.

>> CHICAGO HAS A CONTRACT WITH A NEW RECYCLING COMPANY AND ADVOCATES ARE CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC.

>> VERY NATURAL FOR US.

THESE ARE FLAVORS WE GREW UP WITH.

>> AND A CHICAGO BAKERY BRAIDS MEXICAN FLAVORS INTO TRADITIONAL JEWISH PASTRIES.

SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

CHICAGO POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING HOW A 21-MONTH-OLD BOY WAS SHOT AND INJURED IN A ROAD-RAGE INCIDENT ON LAKE SHORE DRIVE THIS MORNING NEAR GRANT PARK.

THE CHILD HAS BEEN TRANSPORTED TO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND POLICE SAY A FIREARM WAS RECOVERED POLICE SAY A SECOND VEHICLE INVOLVED FLED THE SCENE.

MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT REACTED DURING A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS AFTERNOON.

>> IT'S CLEARLY TRAGIC.

I WILL JUST LEAVE IT AT THAT.

IT'S MINDBOGGLING TO ME THAT PEOPLE CARRY GUNS IN A WAY THAT THEY DO, THAT THEY USE THEM IN THE WAY THEY DO AND USE THEM IN THE WAY WHEN CHILDREN ARE IN THE IMMEDIATE PROXIMITY.

>> THE CHILD IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION AND THERE'S MORE INFORMATION ON THIS STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

COMING UP, AMANDA VINICKY HAS MORE ON THE WHITE HOUSE'S REACTION TO CHICAGO'S INCREASE IN VIOLENT CRIME AND THE MAYOR ON THE VACCINE ROLLOUT.

>> NEARLY 3,000 NEW CASES OF THE COVID VIRUS HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED SINCE YESTERDAY AND AN ADDITIONAL 13 PEOPLE HAVE DIED.

THE STATE'S TOTAL CASE COUNT IS OVER 1.261 MILLION AND 21,395 PEOPLE HAVE DIED.

OVER 19% OF THE POPULATION HAS BEEN VACCINATED.

AND AS CASES RISE NATIONWIDE, THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH HAS SECONDED FOUR STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TO THE ORANGE TIER ON THE TRAVEL MAP THAT MEANS TRAVELERS FROM THOSE AND 20 STATES MUST QUARANTINE UPON ARRIVAL OR TEST NEGATIVE FOR THE CORONAVIRUS BEFORE COMING INTO THE CITY OR THOSE FOLKS MUST BE FULLY VACCINATED.

NOW THAT IS DEFINED AS TWO WEEKS AFTER THE FINAL DOSE OF A COVID VACCINE.

SIX DATES HAVE BEEN SHIFTED TO THE YELLOW TIER JOINING 19 STATES AND PUERTO RICO WHICH NO QUARANTINE OR NEGATIVE TEST IS REQUIRED.

>> A NUMBER OF MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICERS MANY MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT'S TRAINING TEAM TESTIFIED TODAY ABOUT FORMER OFFICER DEREK CHAUVIN'S PLACE MANY OF HIS KNEE ON GEORGE FLOYD'S NECK FOR MORE THAN NINE MINUTES BY THE PROSECUTOR'S COUNT.

>> WOULD IT BE APPROPRIATE AND WITHIN TRAINING TO HOLD A SUBJECT IN THAT PRONE RESTRAINED POSITION WITH A KNEE ON THE NECK AND A KNEE ON THE BACK FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME AFTER THE SUBJECT HAS STOPPED OFFERING RESISTANCE?

NO, SIR.

>> OR HAS LOST THEIR PULSE?

>> NO, SIR.

>> THAT WITNESS YOU HEARD FROM LIEUTENANT JOHNNY MERCIL HE TESTIFIED THAT CHAUVIN TOOK A 40-HOUR COURSE IN 2016 HOW TO USE DEESCALATION TECHNIQUES TO CALM PEOPLE DOWN.

CHAUVIN'S ATTORNEYS ARGUED HE WAS DOING WHAT HE HAD BEEN TRAINED TO DO AND POINTED TO MOMENTS IN THE VIDEO WHERE CHAUVIN'S KNEE APPEARS NOT TO BE ON FLOYD'S NECK.

>> SINCE THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE DEBUTED IN DECEMBER, CHICAGO AND SUBURBAN PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS HAVE LIMITED WHO IS AND WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR IT.

THAT IS SET TO CHANGE.

THE NEWS COMES ON THE HEELS OF A VISIT FROM THE U.S.

VICE-PRESIDENT AND THE PROMISES OF HELP FROM THE FEDS.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH MORE COVID VACCINE NEWS.

>> BRANDIS, THE ROLLING VACCINATIONS LIMITED, ELIGIBILITY FIRST TO HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND THEN TO SENIORS AND SO ON, NOW ALL ESSENTIAL WORKERS IN CHICAGO ARE INCLUDED AND ARE ELIGIBLE.

THE CITY WASN'T THAT HOWEVER TO GIVE EVERY ADULT A SHOT AT A SHOT UNTIL SOMETIME IN MAY.

THAT IS CHANGING.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TODAY SAYS THE NATION IS MOVING UP THE TIMELINE FOR ALL ADULTS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A COVID VACCINE FROM MAY FIRST TO APRIL 19TH.

MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAYS THE CITY'S READY TO MEET THAT DEADLINE.

WE WILL MEET THAT DEADLINE.

WE NEED MORE VACCINE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BUT WE ARE OPTIMISTIC BASED UPON CONVERSATIONS THAT THE THAT OPPORTUNITY WILL HAPPEN.

>> CHICAGO HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN WARY RETICENT TO DO SO THE MAYOR DID NOT WANT TO CREATE AN EXPECTATION AND NOT BE ABLE TO MEET IT GIVEN THAT DEMAND FOR THE VACCINE STILL OUTPACES THE SUPPLY.

SHE SAYS IT WAS A MATTER OF LOGISTICS.

BUT AFTER TALKS TODAY WITH VICE-PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS, DURING THEIR VISIT ABOUT THE FEDS GUARANTEEING MORE DOSES COMING TO THE CITY OF CHICAGO, THE MAYOR SAYS THAT APRIL 19TH IS GOING TO BE THE TARGET DATE.

CHICAGO'S PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR Dr. ALLISON ARWADY SAYS THAT ACTUALLY ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES HAS BEEN SOMETHING THE CITY WAS ALREADY CONSIDERING.

>> BECAUSE WE HAVE WITHIN SEEING CASES BEING DRIVEN SO MUCH BY THAT 18-29-YEAR-OLD AGE GROUP IN CHICAGO AND THINKING ABOUT WANTING TO FOLLOW WHERE THAT DATA IS AND PUSH VACCINE WHERE IT'S MOST NEEDED.

THE HESITATION HAS BEEN VACCINE SUPPLY.

AND WE ARE NOT SEEING THE HUGE INCREASES PARTLY BECAUSE OF THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON ISSUES WITH MANUFACTURING.

>> ARWADY, THE MAYOR, GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER, EACH HAD A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT ALL OF THIS WITH VICE-PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS DURING HER STOP IN CHICAGO.

THE VICE-PRESIDENT TOURED CHICAGO'S UNION VACCINATION SITE A LABOR-RUN VACCINE CLINIC FOR MEMBERS OF LABOR UNIONS.

HARRIS CALLED IT A MODEL FOR THE COUNTRY AND SAYS IT IS THE PLACE WHERE THE DIGNITY OF WORK IS RECOGNIZED.

THE MAYOR SAYS IT WAS A PLACE WHERE THE VICE-PRESIDENT WAS ABLE TO SEE CHICAGO'S COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND TO DIVERSITY ON DISPLAY.

>> OTHER REASON THAT THE VICE-PRESIDENT CAME AND WHAT THE INTEREST HAS BEEN AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL IS THE EQUITY FOCUS.

AS THE MAYOR SAID HAVING A FOCUS ON GETTING THE MAJORITY OF OUR FIRST DOSES TO BLACK AND LATINX CHICAGOANS EVERY WEEK IS NOT TYPICAL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> ARWADY AND THE MAYOR SAY THEY ARE PROUD OF CHICAGO'S EFFORTS TO GET VACCINES TO THE CITY'S MOST VULNERABLE FOR COVID AREAS AND THAT IS OFTEN POCKETS OF THE CITY WHERE THE MAJORITY OF RESIDENTS ARE BLACK AND BROWN.

BUT ALDERMAN BYRON SIGCHO-LOPEZ IS AMONG THE CRITICS WHO SAY THAT CHICAGO IS FAILING FROM AN EQUITY PERSPECTIVE AND HE IS REALLY BITTER AT THE MAYOR OVER THAT, INCLUDING FOR USING FEDERAL CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUNDS AND SENDING THEM TO THE POLICE.

>> COMMUNITIES ARE DESPERATE THEY ARE SUFFERING AND THEY HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FROM DISINVESTMENT IN A TIME WHEN WE CANNOT HAVE FOOD THE 281 MILLION BACK INTO THE COMMUNITIES FOR RELIEF FOR VACCINATION AND OTHER IMPORTANT SERVICES THAT ARE NEEDED.

>> LOPEZ SAYS THAT IS INFORMATION THAT VICE-PRESIDENT HARRIS SHOULD BE AWARE OF AND HE TRIED TO GET HER ATTENTION.

HE WAS AMONG THOSE PROTESTING THIS AFTERNOON OUTSIDE FOR A BIT INSIDE A PRESS CONFERENCE.

THEY WERE SHOUTING ANTI-LIGHTFOOT CHANTS.

CAN YOU HEAR SOME OF A DRUM CIRCLE AS SENATOR DICK DURBIN SPEAKS.

>> THIS IS A CRITICAL MOMENT IN THIS PANDEMIC.

PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF IT.

I'M TIRED OF IT.

BUT WE CAN'T BREAK THE BACK OF THIS PANDEMIC UNLESS WE PUSH, PUSH, PUSH FOR MORE VACCINATIONS.

>> NOW, THE VICE-PRESIDENT WASN'T AS OF TODAY OR EVER REALLY PLANNING TO BE IN ATTENDANCE AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE BUT THE MAYOR AND THE GOVERNOR BOTH WERE.

AND INSTEAD DUE TO SOME SORT OF A MIX-UP OR MISCOMMUNICATION NEITHER ENDED UP SHOWING.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS HE WAS UNABLE TO RESCHEDULE DUE TO HAVING OTHER ACTIVITIES THIS AFTERNOON BUT THE MAYOR DID INSTEAD HOLD A LATER PRESS CONFERENCE AT CITY HALL.

SHE SAYS THAT THAT WAS NOT DONE TO AVOID PROTESTORS.

SHE SAYS NOR WAS IT TO AVOID HAVING TO STAND NEAR PRITZKER DESPITE A DIVIDE BETWEEN THEM.

>> IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT.

THE GOVERNOR AND I MAY NOT AGREE ON EVERY POLICY ISSUE BUT HE AND I HAVE WORKED VERY, VERY HARD OVER THE TIME I'VE BECOME MAYOR TO MAKE SURE WE'VE GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP AND WE DO.

THE SIMPLE MATTER IS I HAD TO PULL ASIDE WITH THE VICE-PRESIDENT AND THE PRESS CONFERENCE STARTED WITHOUT ME.

>> NOW, AS HARRIS WAS ARRIVING IN CHICAGO, IF YOU HEARD A BIT AGO, A BABY WAS SHOT ON LAKE SHORE DRIVE.

REPORTERS AT THE WHITE HOUSE TODAY ASKED THE BIDEN'S PRESS SECRETARY ABOUT THAT AND SHE SAYS THAT THE PRESIDENT IS COMMITTED TO GUN SAFETY MEASURES.

>> WE WORK WITH COMMUNITIES TO INVEST IN COMMUNITY VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

HE HAS ACTUALLY PROPOSED FUNDING TO DO EXACTLY THAT SOMETHING THAT MANY GROUPS SUPPORT BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE IN ORDER TO REDUCE VIOLENCE IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE PREVALENCE OF VIOLENCE IN COMMUNITIES LIKE SOME IN CHICAGO THAT WE NEED TO SPEND THE MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO DO EXACTLY THAT.

>> ASKED ABOUT IT, DANNY DAVIS SAYS THAT HE FAVORS MANDATORY BACKGROUND CHECKS.

HE FAVORS A BAN ON AUTOMATIC WEAPONS AND THEN HE SUGGESTED GOING FURTHER.

>> STOP MAKING THEM.

THEN I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF NOT MAKING HANDGUNS THAT INDIVIDUALS USE TO HUNT OTHER PEOPLE WITH.

AND SO IT IS A BIG ISSUE.

IT IS A BIG PROBLEM.

IT REQUIRES SERIOUS ATTENTION AND THAT'S WHAT IS BEING DONE RIGHT NOW >> NOW, AS FOR THE COVID VACCINE, VICE-PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS THIS AFTERNOON TWEETING ILLINOIS WE SAID HELP IS ON THE WAY AND NOW HELP IS HERE TO GET MORE SHOTS IN ARMS.

SOMEONE $123 MILLION COMING FROM THE CDC TO BOTH THE CITY AND THE STATE THAT IS TO BE USED ON VACCINE OUTREACH AND ACCESS EFFORTS.

HARRIS' BUSINESS NOT ALL TOTAL BUSINESS.

SHE HAD TIME TO GET A LITTLE BIT OF SWEET IN SHOPPING STOPPING BY BROWN SUGAR BAKERY ON THE SOUTH SIDE AND PICKED UP CUPCAKES AND SAID WERE GOING TO BE GIVEN TO STAFF.

SORRY, I WASN'T THERE, SO NO BROWN SUGAR DELICIOUSNESS FOR ME OR YOU.

>> ANYBODY KNOWS IT'S THE PLACE TO GO.

THANK YOU.

AND WE'LL HAVE MORE ABOUT VACCINE EQUITY LATER IN THE PROGRAM.

NOW TO PARIS WITH MEMBERS OF ILLINOIS' CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

PARIS?

>> THE WHITE HOUSE AND DEMOCRATS ARE OUT PUSHING FOR PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S AMERICAN JOBS PLAN.

BUT REPUBLICANS ARE PUSHING BACK SAYING THE PROPOSAL IS LIGHT ON INFRASTRUCTURE AND HEAVY ON ITEMS FROM DEMOCRATIC WISH LISTS.

AND JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THAT AND MUCH MORE ARE CONGRESSMAN MIKE QUIGLEY A DEMOCRAT FROM CHICAGO, RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI A DEMOCRAT FROM SCHAUMBURG AND CONGRESSMAN RODNEY DAVIS A REPUBLICAN FROM TAYLORVILLE.

WELCOME BACK TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I WANT TO START WITH YOU ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL YOU HAVE SAID YOU'VE MET WITH THE PRESIDENT AND THE VICE-PRESIDENT ON INFRASTRUCTURE BUT YOU DISAGREE WITH THE APPROACH THAT HOUSE DEMOCRATS AND HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI IS TAKING.

ARE REPUBLICANS AT THE TABLE ON THIS AT ALL?

>> WELL, REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN AT THE TABLE WE ARE MORE THAN WILLING TO TALK ABOUT NEGOTIATIONS WHEN IT COMES TO TRUE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS.

AS YOU MENTIONED I WAS IN A MEETING WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN AND VICE-PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS AND SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG AND WE IMPLORED THE ADMINISTRATION DO NOT USE THE RECONCILIATION PROCESS AND MAKE THIS PARTISAN AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT MAY NOT BE THE ADMINISTRATION'S APPROACH BUT IT SEEMS THEY MIGHT HAVE BEEN PRESSURED BY LEADER SCHUMER AND PELOSI TO TAKE A PARTISAN ROUTE WHICH IS GOING TO COST MORE AND GIVE US LESS INVESTMENT.

>> AND CONGRESSMAN QUIGLEY, THE SENATE PARLIAMENTIAN RULED THE UPPER CHAMBER CAN USE THE RECONCILIATION PROCESS THOUGH THEY DID USE THE PROCESS ON THE COVID BILL.

IS THAT THE ONLY WAY YOU BELIEVE THAT THIS BILL THE INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN WILL PASS?

>> I THINK IF YOU NEED IT GO AHEAD AND USE IT.

IF THE REPUBLICANS WANT TO DANCE LET'S GO.

LET'S GO BIG ON INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE ARE GETTING OUTSPENT 3-1 BY OUR COMPETITORS.

WE ARE THREE TRILLION DOWN WE CAN'T GO SMALL AND IF THE REPUBLICANS DON'T WANT TO GO WITH A SIGNIFICANT PACKAGE, WE'LL USE ANY PROCESS WE HAVE TO.

>> AND CONGRESSMAN KRISHNAMOORTHI, CONGRESSMAN DAVIS TALKED ABOUT THE BILL BEING LIGHT ON INFRASTRUCTURE.

SUPPOSEDLY.

AND THERE IS THERE ARE THINGS THAT WOULDN'T BE CONSIDERED TRADITIONAL ININFRASTRUCTURE LIKE $400 BILLION FOR HOME BASED CARE.

WHAT IS THAT CONSIDERED INFRASTRUCTURE?

>> WELL, I THINK RIGHT NOW ESPECIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC WE LEARNED THAT OUR HEALTHCARE INFRASTRUCTURE IS NOT VERY GOOD.

AND I THINK THAT ONE OF THE REASONS WE ARE WHERE WE ARE IS THAT WE HAVE TO UPGRADE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF OUR HEALTHCARE INFRASTRUCTURE.

BUT THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF PARTS OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE THAT MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES HATE SUCH AS UPGRADING THE ELECTRICAL GRID SO WE CAN MOVE TO A RENEWABLE ENERGY ECONOMY.

THEY DON'T LIKE THE CLEAN DRINKING WATER ASPECT OF THIS INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE SO THAT WE CAN REPLACE LEAD PIPES AND ALLOW ALL CHILDREN TO DRINK CLEAN WATER.

THEY ALSO DON'T LIKE THE FACT THAT WE HAVE HIGH SPEED INTERNET AS PART OF THIS INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE BUT WE'VE LEARNED THE HARD WAY DURING THE PANDEMIC THAT WHETHER IT'S TELEMEDICINE OR E-LEARNING OR WORKING FROM HOME, ALL PEOPLE WHETHER YOU LIVE IN A RURAL AREA OR URBAN OR SUBURBAN AREA, DESERVE ACCESS TO HIGH SPEED INTERNET.

SO WE WELCOME THE DEBATE.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO IT.

>> AND CONGRESSMAN DAVIS PART OF THE PROPOSAL IS A HIKE IN THE CORPORATE INCOME TAX RATE FROM 21 TO 28%.

THIS AFTERNOON AMAZON FOUNDER JEFF BAY SUPERSONIC CAME OUT IN SUPPORT OF HIKING THE CORPORATE RATE AS WE SEE DOZENS OF MAJOR BUSINESSES PAYING ZERO DOLLARS IN TAXES IN 2020 INCLUDING NIKE, FEDEX, DISH NETWORK, SHOULD THE CORPORATIONS BE PAYING TAXES ESPECIALLY WITH GOVERNMENT BORROWING SO MUCH AND 2020 BEING A DIFFICULT YEAR?

>> YOU KNOW, I CAN SEE WHY THE BLUE-COLLAR WORKERS FLIPPED TO VOTING REPUBLICAN BECAUSE MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE WANT TO CONTINUE TO PUT THEM AND THE COMPANIES THEY WORK FOR AT A COMPETITIVE DISADVANTAGE.

WE HAD HISTORIC ECONOMIC GROWTH BECAUSE WE MADE OUR TAX CODE GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE AND ABLE TO BRING JOBS BACK TO AMERICA INSTEAD OF SEEING AMERICAN COMPANIES SHIP THEM OVERSEAS AND STILL PAY NO TAXES.

NOW, IF MY FRIENDS WANT TO TALK ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT, I'M MORE THAN WILLING TO DO THAT.

I HAVE A RECORD OF BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGES THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH THE COMMITTEE THAT I SERVE ON.

BUT IN THE END, SPENDING $50 BILLION TO STAND UP ANOTHER AGENCY WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, AND ONLY SPENDING 42 BILLION ON UPGRADING OUR LOCKS, DAMS, PORTS AND AIRPORTS THAT IS NOT INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IS GROWING GOVERNMENT.

WE WANT BROADBAND EXPANSION AND MAKE SURE THAT THAT MONEY GOES TO GET TO THE LAST MILE.

BUT A PROPOSAL THAT SPENDS MORE ON ELECTRONIC VEHICLE CHARGES STATIONS THAN RURAL BROAD BAND IS NOT WHAT MY CONSTITUENTS WANT.

>> IT IS NOT JUST REPUBLICANS THAT HAVE COME OUT NOT SO HOT FOR THE CORPORATE TAX EXPANSION AND SENATOR JOE MANCHIN FROM WEST VIRGINIA GOING TO HAVE TO BE NEGOTIATION ON THAT RATE?

>> NEGOTIATIONS ARE FAIR GAME BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS UNDER THIS PROPOSAL, THE VAST MAJORITY OF AMERICANS THE BLUE-COLLAR AMERICANS THAT RODNEY IS TALKING ABOUT ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY CHANGE IN LARGE PART THIS IS PAID FOR BY REPEALING WHAT WAS OUR ARGUMENT A DISASTROUS TAX PLAN IN 2017 WHICH DID LITTLE TO GROW THE ECONOMY AND ACTUALLY INCREASED OUR DEBT ABOUT A TRILLION-AND-A-HALF OVER A 10-YEAR PERIOD.

>> AND PRESIDENT BIDEN'S PRESS SECRETARY JEN PSAKI SHE SAYS HE IS HOPING THE INFRASTRUCTURE CAN PASS ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS.

>> LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER HE ANNOUNCED THE AMERICAN JOBS PLAN, OUR FOCUS IS ON ENGAGING WITH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS WITH STAFF WITH COMMITTEE STAFF INVITING MEMBERS TO THE WHITE HOUSE NEXT WEEK AND WE ARE ENCOURAGED BY SOME OF THE STATEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE ABOUT COMPONENTS OF THE PACKAGE.

>> ENCOURAGED BY STATEMENTS BUT IT STILL DOESN'T LOOK LIKE BIPARTISAN BUY IN.

CONGRESSMAN KRISHNAMOORTHI ARE THERE ANY OTHER POINTS OF NEGOTIATION AND COMPROMISE THAT THE TWO PARTIES CAN COME TO ON THIS?

>> I HOPE SO.

AND I HEARD CONGRESSMAN DAVIS' BARK AS HE WAS TALKING ABOUT HIS POSITION ON THE ISSUES.

I THINK HE WAS OBJECTING JUST AS EVERY CAT, DOG IN AMERICA WILL BE OBJECTING TO THE REPUBLICANS SAYING NO, NO, NO TO AN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN AND USING THE FILIBUSTER TO BASICALLY PREVENT US FROM MAKING PROGRESS ON THIS VITAL AREA.

WE ARE OPEN TO NEGOTIATIONS ON EVERYTHING.

AND I HOPE WE CAN NEGOTIATE THE PACKET WITH LOCKS, DAMS AND DREDGING OUR RIVERS OR UPGRADING OUR INTERNET CAPACITY OR WHETHER IT'S PUTTING ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS SO WE CAN FINALLY HAVE MORE ELECTRIC VEHICLES ON THE ROAD AND PEOPLE ARE NOT WORRIED ABOUT RUNNING OUT OF JUICE AS THEY ARE TRAVELING ACROSS THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

BUT IT CAN'T BE A POSITION OF JUST FILIBUSTERING ANYTHING THAT COMES OUT OF THE HOUSE AND PREVENTING REAL PROGRESS BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY IF WE DON'T DO THIS IT'S NOT LIKE THE CHINESE ARE NOT GOING TO UPGRADE THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE ON A CONTINUAL BASIS AND EAT OUR ECONOMIC LUNCH.

>> WELL, WE WILL LEAVE IT THERE AND WE WILL BE BACK IN A SECOND WE WILL BE JOINED LATER IN THE PROGRAM TO DISCUSS SAFETY ON CAPITOL HILL AND VOTING RIGHTS.

BUT FIRST, OUR THANKS TO REPRESENTATIVES MIKE QUIGLEY, RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI AND RODNEY DAVIS THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> AND NOW TO PHIL PONCE AND THE FUTURE OF LOCAL PUBLIC TRANSIT.

PHIL?

>> PARIS, THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC AND MITIGATION MEASURES TO CONTROL IT HAVE LED TO A HUGE DROP IN RIDERSHIP ON PUBLIC TRANSIT.

TRANSPORTATION EXPERTS SAY METRA LOST AS MUCH AS 90% RIDERS AT THE PEAK OF THE PANDEMIC WHILE THE CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY SAW RIDERSHIP DROP AROUND 70%.

SO AS MORE PEOPLE GET VACCINATED AND THE ECONOMY REOPENS, ARE RIDERS GOING TO COME BACK?

JOINING US TO SHARE THEIR INSIGHTS ARE AUDREY WENNINK, TRANSPORTATION SPECIALIST AT THE METROPOLITAN PLANNING COUNCIL.

KATE LOWE ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR FOR URBAN PLANNING AND POLICY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO WHERE HER RESEARCH FOCUSES ON TRANSPORTATION EQUITY.

AND JACKY GRIMSHAW, VICE-PRESIDENT FOR GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS AND A TRANSPORTATION SPECIALIST AT THE CENTER FOR NEIGHBORHOOD TECHNOLOGY.

AND WELCOME ALL TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

"CHICAGO TONIGHT" AUDREY WENNINK HOW BIG A HIT HAVE LOCAL TRANSIT AGENCIES TAKEN AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC?

>> RIDERSHIP IS WAY DOWN AND BECAUSE REVENUE COMES FROM TRANSIT FARES IN PART THEIR INCOME IS WAY DOWN AS WELL.

>> AND JACKY GRIMSHAW, THE BIG QUESTION THAT WE'RE ASKING TONIGHT IS HOW DO YOU GET RIDERS TO COME BACK?

ANY IDEAS?

>> WELL, YEAH, YOU HAVE TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATING WITH RIDERS LETTING THEM KNOW IT'S SAFE AND EMPHASIZING ALL OF THE HYGIENE THAT PROVISIONS THAT THE TRANSIT AGENCIES HAVE PROVIDED IN TERMS OF WIPE DOWNS AND MASKS AND PROVIDING.

>> SANITIZERS.

SANITIZERS THAT'S THE WORD.

SO THAT PEOPLE FEEL CONFIDENT.

YOU KNOW AND IT'S CONTINUING TO DO THE SAME WE HAVE DONE SO FAR.

MASKS, DISTANCING AND SO FORTH AND LETTING PEOPLE KNOW THAT THE TRANSIT AGENCY IS DOING ALL IT CAN TO MAKE THE VEHICLES AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.

>> KATE LOWE, ANYTHING KNOWN OR HAVE THERE BEEN STUDIES SHOWING HOW PEOPLE ARE BEHAVING NOW?

ARE PEOPLE SOCIAL DISTANCING AND WEARING MASKS ON PUBLIC TRANSIT?

>> INTERNATIONALLY WE HAVE NOT SEEN A HIGH CORRELATION BETWEEN TRANSIT USE AND COVID CASES.

A LOT OF THAT HINGES ON ADOPTING SAFE BEHAVIORIERS AND MASKING.

THINGS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL HAS TAKEN APPROPRIATE ACTION BY MANDATING MASKS IN TRANSPORTATION.

HOWEVER, WE DON'T HAVE LOCAL DATA ON WHAT MASK COMPLIANCE LOOKS LIKE.

BUT HOPEFULLY SOON WITH THE VACCINE ROLLOUT THAT WILL BECOME LESS OF AN ISSUE IN THE COMING YEAR.

>> AUDREY WENNINK, ONE PROPOSAL THAT CAME FROM THE HEAD OF YOUR AGENCY WAS TO LURE RIDERS BACK BY TEMPORARILY AT LEAST LOWERING FARES OR ALLOWING RIDERS TO RIDE FOR FREE THOUGHTS ON THAT?

>> YEAH.

THERE COULD BE WITH THE FEDERAL COVID RELIEF WE HAVE SEEN THAT ALLOWS A LITTLE FLEXIBILITY FOR INNOVATION THERE COULD BE A WELCOME BACK PROGRAM WHERE DISCOUNTED MONTHLY PASSES WERE OFFERED SAY FOR THE REST OF 2021 AND IT FEELS LIKE IT'S FREE EVERY TIME YOU TAKE A TRIP.

GETTING PEOPLE MUSCLE MEMORY BACK IN TERMS OF RIDING TRANSIT THAT COULD BE AN APPROACH.

>> JACKY GRIMSHAW AS WE LOOK AT THAT PROPOSAL LOWERING FARES AND DROPPING THEM ALTOGETHER, GOOD IDEA FROM AN EQUITY STANDPOINT?

>> WELL, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE RIDERS THAT CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THOSE RIDES ON TRANSIT DURING THE PANDEMIC, YOU KNOW THAT 40% 3, 30% THAT CONTINUED TO RIDE THESE WERE ESSENTIAL WORKERS AND USUALLY THE ESSENTIAL WORKERS ARE LOWER INCOME AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE JOBS THEY ARE MOSTLY BLACK AND BROWN.

SO IF WE LOOK AT FROM AN EQUITY POSITION, HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE AS AUDREY SAID THAT I CALL IT AN HMO PASS IN YOUR POCKET WITH AN HMO YOU GO TO THE DOCTOR YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE BILL THE SAME THING WITH THAT MONTHLY PASS IN YOUR POCKET THAT YOU STARTED TO USE IT.

AND IT'S MORE AFFORDABLE MORE PEOPLE WILL USE IT.

>> KATE LOWE, LOOKING AT THE SYSTEM BIG PICTURE WHAT ARE THE OTHER EQUITY ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AS THE EXPECTATION IS THAT RIDERS WILL BE COMING BACK AT SOME LEVEL?

>> I THINK WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AFTER THE PANDEMIC IN CONTEXT OF WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE LAST DECADE.

WE HAVE SEEN A 26% DROP IN TRANSIT RIDERSHIP ON BUSES BETWEEN 2008 AND 2019.

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH BUS SERVICE AND RIDERSHIP DROPS?

I WOULD ARGUE IMPROVING SERVICE QUALITY ON BUS LINES IS A CRITICAL EQUITY ISSUE.

AND ALSO CRITICAL TO THE HEALTH OF THE SYSTEM.

WE NEED TO PROVIDE FAST, RELIABLE SERVICE AND PART OF THAT IS IMPROVING BUS SERVICE.

>> AUDREY WENNINK ARE THERE PARTICULAR PROJECTS THAT WOULD PROMOTE EQUITY THERE'S TALK OF EXTENDING THE REDLINE AND FIXING THE BLUE LINE?

>> THE REDLINE EXTENSION IS THE BIG ONE IT WOULD PROVIDE SERVICE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO WHERE THERE IS NO CTA SERVICE AND ANOTHER WAY TO THINK ABOUT TRANSIT IS OPERATIONS.

SO MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE OPERATING TRANSIT MORE MIDDAY SERVICE POSSIBLY LATER INTO THE EVENINGS WHICH WOULD HELP WORKERS WHO DON'T HAVE A TRADITIONAL 9-5 JOB THAT WOULD HELP THEM.

>> JACKY GRIMSHAW ONE OF THE THINGS MAYOR LIGHTFOOT MENTIONED AS FAR AS ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO GO BACK TO PUBLIC TRANSIT IS TO CHARGE A CONGESTION FEE FOR PEOPLE WHO DRIVE DOWNTOWN.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

>> WELL, CONGESTION FEES HAVE WORKED IN OTHER CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND ACROSS THE WORLD.

AND IT'S BEEN STUDIED HERE.

AND THE CHALLENGE FOR US IS ACTUALLY HOW YOU IMPLEMENT IT.

AND I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN SUGGESTIONS AND PROPOSALS HOW TO DO IT.

BUT IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN HAPPEN QUICKLY.

AND IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE OUR COUNTY COME BACK, I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE MEASURES THAT ARE MORE EASILY IMPLEMENTABLE THAN TRYING TO GO TO CONGESTION PRICE SNOOK KATE LOWE THERE IS A REPORT THIS AFTERNOON THAT METRA IS ADDING TRAINS ON THREE DIFFERENT LINES.

IS THAT AN INDICATION THAT MAYBE THINGS ARE ALREADY AT LEAST INCHING THEIR WAY BACK TO NORMALCY?

>> WELL, HAVING HIGH LEVELS OF SERVICE AND FREQUENCY IS CRITICAL TO GET THE RIDERSHIP BACK.

WE HAVE TO INVEST TO SEE THE RIDERSHIP IMPACTS WE HOPE OUR TRANSIT SYSTEM.

IT IS A PROMISING STEP.

BUT THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE IMMEDIATE REBOUND.

IT WILL BE RECOVERY ACROSS SECTORS INCLUDING TRANSIT.

>> AUDREY WENNINK THERE IS A CONCERN AMONG PEOPLE IN PUBLIC TRANSIT THAT WITH ALL THE PEOPLE WORKING FROM HOME THAT IT'S NEVER GOING TO GO BACK THE WAY IT WAS IN THAT EMPLOYERS ARE GOING TO START LETTING EMPLOYEES WORK ONE OR TWO DAYS FROM HOME, GOING FORWARD.

WHEN DO YOU THINK IT'S POSSIBLE FOR RIDERSHIP TO GET BACK TO PREPANDEMIC LEVELS?

>> IT'S GOING TO TAKE A WHILE.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE A COUPLE YEARS TO SEE WHAT THE OUTCOMES ARE GOING TO BE.

AND I THINK WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO SEE DIFFERENT DISTRIBUTIONS OF WHEN PEOPLE ARE TRAVELING.

SO WE ARE GOING TO WANT TO OFFER MORE SERVICE DURING THE MIDDAY, POSSIBLY METRA IS A HUGE ASSET.

POSSIBLY LOOKING AT TURNING THAT SERVICE INTO MORE OF AN ALL DAY SERVICE REGIONAL RAILS GOING BOTH DIRECTIONS WE NEED TO ADAPT THE SERVICE AS WE SEE THE NEEDS ADAPTING AND MAKE IT WORK FOR THE SOCIETY WE ARE GOING TO BE LIVING IN POST COVID.

>> A COUPLE YEARS.

AUDREY WENNINK THANK YOU FOR YOUR OBSERVATIONS, JACKY GRIMSHAW, LIKEWISE AND KATE LOWE THANK YOU AS WELL.

AND UP NEXT, AN UPDATE ON THE REDEVELOPMENT OF A LONG VACANT SITE ON THE CITY'S SOUTH SIDE.

PLEASE STAY WITH US.

AFTER MORE THAN A DECADE OF SITTING UNUSED THE FORMER MICHAEL REESE HOSPITAL SITE IN SOUTH SIDE HE BRONZEVILLE APPEARS HEADED FOR REDEVELOPMENT.

THE CHICAGO PLAN COMMISSION APPROVED A $3.BILLION EFFORT TO OVERHAUL THE PROPERTY.

AS "CHICAGO TONIGHT'S" NICK BLUMBERG REPORTS, THE TEAM BEHIND THE DEVELOPMENT IS THINKING BIG AND WORKING FOR COMMUNITY BUY IN.

>> MICHAEL REESE HOSPITAL WAS ONE OF CHICAGO'S OLDEST FOUNDED IN 1881 AND DEMOLISHED IN 2009.

>> THERE'S BEEN A NUMBER OF ITERATIONS SHOULD IT BE OLYMPICS, AMAZON.

>> THE CITY BOUGHT THE PROPERTY AS IT WAS PREPARING FOR THE FAILED 2016 OLYMPICS BID AND IT PICKED A TEAM OF DEVELOPERS TO TAKEOVER THE SITE AND CREATE A MASTER PLAN FOR A MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT.

>> WE KNEW THE POTENTIAL OF THIS SITE AND WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR THE ENTIRE SOUTH SIDE AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MOST VULNERABLE WHO NEED IT MOST.

>> THE PROJECT'S FIRST PHASE IS SET TO INCLUDE THE ARC INNOVATION CENTER AN EQUITY FOCUSED RESEARCH ARM OF ISRAEL'S SHEBA MEDICAL CENTER.

THE MISSION IS TO MAKE HEALTHCARE ACCESSIBLE AND THE DESIGNERS OF THE LAKEFRONT SITE SAY THIS BUILDING WILL REFLECT THAT.

>> IT FRAMES A LITERAL GATEWAY INTO THE DEVELOPMENT AND IT FRAMES A GATEWAY TOWARDS THE SINGER PAVILION WHO IS A HISTORIC BUILDING WE ARE PRESERVING AND KEEPING ON THE SITE.

>> BEYOND KEEPING THAT BUILDING, URBAN DESIGNERS AND ARCHITECTS ARE WORKING TO REIMAGINE EVERY FACET OF THE SITE.

>> EVERYTHING FROM THE ROADS TO THE PARKS TO THE BLOCKS TO THE USES WHAT THE PLACE WOULD LOOK AND FEEL LIKE AND THEN HOW TO CONNECT BACK TO THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY >> AND THE DEVELOPERS AND DESIGNERS WORKING ON THE PROJECT SAY THE COMMUNITY HAS PLAYED AN INTEGRAL ROLE IT IS NOT A ONE AND DOWNTOWN HALL MEETING.

SOPHIA KING PUT TOGETHER A MICHAEL REESE ADVISORY COUNCIL TO WEIGH-IN EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

FOR MANY OF US WHO LIVE ON THE SOUTH SIDE THIS IS LONG OVERDUE.

THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM IS TAKING SERIOUSLY WHAT THEY ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD ONCE THIS IS DONE, I THINK WE'LL SET A NEW STANDARD FOR DEVELOPMENT ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

>> URBAN DESIGNER DAWVEED SCULLY IS A SOUTH SIDE NATIVE AND GRADUATE OF IIT AND SAYS TRUE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS A WAY TO CREATE SOMETHING THAT FEELS LIKE IT'S PART OF BRONZEVILLE.

>> YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE WORKING WITH COMMUNITY TO CREATE SOMETHING THAT IS MORE THAN THE SUM OF THE PARTS IT'S NOT JUST A NEW BUILDING AND A NEW PARK THAT THOSE HAVE TANGIBLE MEANING FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> IN ADDITION TO THE ARC INNOVATION CENTER, THE SITE'S SLATED TO HAVE MARKET RATE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING INCLUDING FOR SENIORS, RETAIL WITH DISCOUNTED RENT FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES, GREENSPACE AND A COMMUNITY CENTER.

>> THE FOLKS HERE IN THE COMMUNITY NEED TO FEEL LIKE IT IS PART OF BRONZEVILLE IT IS NOT A SEPARATE DISTRICT.

IT IS NOT A GATED COMMUNITY AND THAT CONNECTION BRINGS ME JOY PERSONALLY.

>> MORGAN MALONE HOPES THE COMMUNITY APPROACH CAN BE A MODEL BEYOND THIS PROJECT.

>> WHERE IT MAY SEEM HARD AND COMPLEX WHEN YOU PUT PEOPLE FIRST YOU CAN WIN AND DO IT IT CAN BE FINANCED AND IT CAN BE POSSIBLE AND EVERYONE WILL BENEFIT.

WE'RE EXCITED TO PROOF IT.

>> THE REDEVELOPMENT IS A TWO-DECADE EFFORT BUT THE COUNCIL SAYS IF YOU HAVE NOT SPENT MUCH TIME IN THE AREA YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT.

>> COME ON DOWN.

COME ON DOWN.

COME ON DOWN.

>> BRONZEVILLE HAS SPIRIT, IT HAS SOUL.

APPROACHABLE SOUL, I SHOULD SAY.

IT IS NOT AN AREA WHERE YOU COME INTO IT BUT YOU FEEL LIKE AN OUTSIDER.

WHEN YOU COME INTO THE COMMUNITY YOU ARE WELCOMED.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M NICK BLUMBERG.

>> THE MASTER PLAN STILL HAS TO CLEAR OTHER KEY COMMITTEES AND THE FULL CITY COUNCIL.

THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM HOPES TO COMPLETE THE $600 MILLION PHASE ONE BY 2026.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", CONGRESSMEN TALK ABOUT THE PLETHORA OF BILLS IMPACTING VOTES RIGHTS.

AND CAPITOL HILL'S SECURITY.

THE LATEST ON HOW CHICAGO AND THE REGION ARE DOING WITH EQUITABLE ACCESS TO COVID-19 VACCINES AND HOW THE NEW SURGE COULD THREATEN THAT PROGRESS.

A NEW COMPANY WILL HANDLE CHICAGO'S BLUE CART RECYCLING PROGRAM WHAT NEW CHANGES WILL IT BE TO THE RECYCLING EFFORT?

AND HOW A LOCAL BAKERY IMPORTS THEIR UNIQUE BLEND OF CULTURES TO CHICAGO BY INTERTWINING MEXICAN FLAVORS WITH TRADITIONAL JEWISH PASTRIES.

FIRST, MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

NEIGHBORS AROUND MELROSE PARK WILL AGAIN HAVE ACCESS TO WESTLAKE HOSPITAL NOW THAT THE GOVERNOR SIGNED LEGISLATION ALLOWING IT TO REOPEN.

THE HOSPITAL CLOSED IN 2019 AND WAS PLANNED FOR USE AS A TEMPORARY HOSPITAL TO TREAT COVID-19 PATIENTS IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC A YEAR AGO.

THE LEGISLATION ALLOWING IT TO REOPEN WILL EXPEDITE THE PROCESS OF CERTIFYING A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER WHO MUST COMMIT TO 20 MILLION REESTABLISH WESTLAKE, AND AGREE TO OWN THE HOSPITAL FOR NO LESS THAN FIVE YEARS AFTER REOPENING.

>> UNITED AIRLINES IS TAKING OFF WITH A PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF WOMEN AND PEOPLE OF COLOR IN THE COCKPIT.

THE CHICAGO-BASED AIRLINE SAYS IT WILL TRAIN 5,000 PILOTS THIS DECADE INCLUDING TAKING ON PILOTS WITH NO-FLYING EXPERIENCE.

OF THAT NUMBER, THE COMPANY SAYS HALF WILL BE WOMEN OR PEOPLE OF COLOR.

UNITED IS BORROWING AN APPROACH USED BY AIRLINES TO TRAIN NEWCOMERS AT THE COMPANY'S OWN ACADEMY IN ADDITION TO RECRUITING FROM THE USUAL SOURCES LIKE THE MILITARY.

WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF PILOTS IS UP FOR DEBATE AS TRAVEL RECEDED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

BUT A SHORTAGE IS EXPECTED TO GROW AS THE LARGE NUMBER OF PILOTS REACH THE REQUIRED RETIREMENT AGE.

AND NOW BACK TO PARIS WITH MORE FROM LOCAL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

>> THANK YOU.

EARLIER IN THE PROGRAM WE DISCUSSED A MASSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE PROPOSAL AND WE ARE NOW JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVES MIKE QUIGLEY, RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI AND RODNEY DAVIS.

CONGRESSMEN THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

ANOTHER TRAGIC EVENT FRIDAY AT THE U.S. CAPITOL.

AN ATTACK THAT RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF ANOTHER CAPITOL POLICE OFFICER.

WHAT DOES THIS DO TO THE SECURITY SITUATION CONGRESSMAN QUIGLEY AT THE CAPITOL?

WILL THERE HAVE TO BE A PERMANENT BARRIER?

>> WELL, I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A BARRIER.

I THINK IT CAN BE MOBILE DEPENDING ON THE NEED.

LOOK, I WAS IN THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENED ON JANUARY 6TH.

AND SITTING IN THE ROOM THAT DAY.

I THINK WE ALL KNEW AT LEAST SOME OF WHAT WE NEEDED.

FAST RESPONSE TEAM, BETTER COORDINATION, COMMUNICATION, CLEARLY BETTER INTELLIGENCE.

AND A LARGER BETTER EQUIPPED FRANKLY BETTER TRAINED POLICE FORCE.

BUT FOR NOW, OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH THE FAMILY OF YET NOVEMBER OFFICER WE'VE LOST.

>> AND CONGRESSMAN DAVIS THESE ARE UNFORTUNATE EVENTS WITH ALL THE SECURITY WHERE IS THE BALANCE GOING TO BE BETWEEN SECURITY AND PUBLIC ACCESSIBILITY TO THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS?

>> WELL, I THINK GENERAL AND HIS TEAM PUT TOGETHER A VERY GOOD REPORT MANY RECOMMENDATIONS THAT I PERSONALLY TALKED TO HIM AND HIS TEAM ABOUT.

MY POSITION AS THE RANKING MEMBER ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION WE HAVE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CAPITOL POLICE AND I HAD A CONVERSATION TODAY WITH THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE CAPITOL POLICE.

HE OFFERED SUGGESTIONS AND REPORTS.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT WE SAW ON JANUARY 6 NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN AND WHAT WE SAW FRIDAY NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN.

FRANKLY, THE FENCING HAS SOMEWHAT EXPOSED OUR NATIONAL GUARDS MEN AND WOMEN AND OUR CAPITOL POLICE OFFICERS BECAUSE MOST OF THE TIME WITHOUT THAT FENCING UP, AT THE BARRIERS WHERE WE SAW THE TRAGEDY HAPPEN FRIDAY, THOSE OFFICERS ARE STANDING BEHIND THE BARRIERS THAT STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ENTERING INTO THE CAPITOL COMPLEX.

THEY WORK THE BARRIERS WORK.

WE HAVE TO HAVE A DISCUSSION BIPARTISAN DISCUSSION ON HOW TO MAKE OUR POLICE FORCE OPERATE IN A BETTER MORE EFFICIENT WAY AND MAKE SURE THERE'S TRAINING AND ALSO WE HAVE TO HAVE BETTER INTELLIGENCE AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE INTELLIGENCE COMES THROUGH TO THE CAPITOL POLICE GETS ACTED UPON.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS I WILL BE PUSHING AND LET'S NOT FORGET WE ARE ON THIS EARTH BECAUSE OF BRAVE POLICE OFFICERS AS I AND MY FRIENDS RAN AWAY FROM IT ON A BASEBALL FIELD.

>> AND PART OF GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF WHAT HAPPENED ON JANUARY 6, THERE IS A F.B.I.

INVESTIGATION IS A COMMISSION PUT TOGETHER BY CONGRESS BUT THAT'S BEEN ON HOLD FOR A WHILE.

CONGRESSMAN KRISHNAMOORTHI IS THE IDEA OF A JANUARY 6 COMMISSION DEAD AT THIS POINT?

>> NO, I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK IT'S STILL SUBJECT TO NEGOTIATIONS.

BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ADD ONE OTHER THING THAT WE DIDN'T MENTION WHICH IS THAT THE CAPITOL POLICE ARE VASTLY UNDERSTAFFED RIGHT NOW.

EVEN BY CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATES, THEY HAVE ABOUT 232 OPEN POSITIONS.

LIEUTENANT GENERAL HONEST RAY RECOMMENDED WE ADD 900 CAPITOL POLICE OFFICERS WHICHEVER ESTIMATE YOU BUY INTO THEY NEED HUNDREDS OF ADDITIONAL OFFICERS.

RIGHT NOW THEY ARE OVERWORKED.

THEY ARE UTILIZING TREMENDOUS AMOUNTS OF OVERTIME.

THEY ARE JUST NOT IN THE FIGHTING SHAPE THAT WE NEED THEM SHOULD BE SHOULD ANOTHER INSURRECTION OR THREAT DEVELOPMENT AND SO WE HAVE TO APPROPRIATE MONEY TO THEM RIGHT AWAY TO HIRE THE ADDITIONAL POLICE OFFICERS AND PERSONNEL AND OF COURSE, ADDRESS THAT INTELLIGENCE DEFICIENCY THAT CONGRESSMAN DAVIS RAISED A MOMENT AGO.

BECAUSE IF WE DON'T WE ARE JUST INVITING MORE THREATS TO DEVELOPMENT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING THERE IS A DEBATE RIGHT NOW OVER VOTER RESTRICTION LAWS AS CORPORATE AMERICA INCLUDING MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL IS REACTING TO THE NEW LAW IN GEORGIA.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> THIS IS MUCH BIGGER THAN GEORGIA.

ACCORDING TO THE BRENNAN CENTER AS OF MARCH 24, 361 BILLS WITH RESTRICTIVE PROVISIONS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED IN 47 STATES.

>> THIS IS THE BIGGEST POWER GRAB SINCE I HAVE BEEN IN CONGRESS IT WILL TAKE AWAY EVERY STATE'S ABILITY TO RUN FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.

>> CONGRESSMAN DAVIS A LOT OF REPUBLICANS UPSET OVER MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL'S DECISION TO RELOCATE THE ALL-STAR GAME AND OTHER CORPORATE LEADERS COMING OUT AGAINST GEORGIA'S ELECTION LAW LIKE COCA-COLA, UNITED AIRLINES, DELTA AIRLINES YOUR REACTION TO SOME OF THE PUSHBACK THAT WE'RE SEEING.

>> YOU KNOW IT'S FRUSTRATING.

I WISH SOME OF THE CORPORATE C.E.O.S WOULD HAVE READ THE BILL THE ISSUES THAT GEORGIA VOTERS FACED WERE IN AREAS RUN BY DEMOCRATS AND CLOSED POLLING PLACES AND IT CAUSED DELAYS.

AND THERE ARE PROVISIONS IN PLACE IN THE BILL THAT IN QUESTION THAT EXPANDS OPPORTUNITIES FOR GEORGIANS TO VOTE BUT IT GETS BACK TO WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ARGUING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL OUR STATES OUR LOCALITIES ARE CONSTITUTIONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR RUNNING ELECTIONS.

MY COLLEAGUES ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE OF THE AISLE HAVE VOTED FOR TWICE HR1 BILLED AS A VOTING RIGHTS BILL WHERE IT IS THE FURTHEST THING.

IT IS A BILL THAT WOULD PUT UPWARDS OF 7.2 MILLION INTO EVERY MEMBER OF CONGRESS' CAMPAIGN.

>> YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT PUBLIC FINANCING OF CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS.

>> THE PROVISIONS AND THE ONLY BIPARTISAN ABOUT IT WAS THE DEMOCRAT WHO VOTED WITH EVERY REPUBLICAN AGAINST IT.

IT IS A TRAVESTY.

AND THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF ISSUES THAT DEMOCRATS ARE FOCUSING ON IN WASHINGTON JUST LIKE THEY ARE PUTTING FORTH SO MANY PROPOSALS AND PLANS IN SUPPOSED INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH INFRASTRUCTURE.

IT'S ALWAYS HIDE WHAT THE TRUE INTENTION IS.

AND THE TRUE INTENTION OF THE VOTING RIGHTS BILL AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL HR1 IS TO PAD THEIR OWN CAMPAIGN COFFERS.

>> CONGRESSMAN QUIGLEY RESPOND TO THAT ALLEGATION IT IS ABOUT PADDING YOUR CAMPAIGN COFFERS?

>> LOOK, I THINK THE PREMISE OF THE LAWS BEING INTRODUCED ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS BASED ON A LIE THAT THERE WAS A MASSIVE FRAUD THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

THERE WASN'T.

IT WAS THE BIG LIE THAT WAS PUSHED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP THAT HELPED CREATE THAT INSURRECTION.

AND THEY ARE USING IT TO JUSTIFY AN ACTION WHICH ABSOLUTELY ITS INTENTION IS TO SUPPRESS.

THEY DIDN'T LIKE THE RESULTS SO THEY WANT TO CHANGE THE RULES.

YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT PUBLIC FINANCE OF CAMPAIGNS THAT IS A LONG DISCUSSED DEBATE.

LOVE TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION AT ANY POINT IN TIME.

BUT ANYTIME WE WANT TO GET RID OF THE DARK MONEY AND LET PUT ALL OF THIS ON AN EQUAL FOOTING WHERE CANDIDATES GO IN THERE, I THINK THAT IS FAR MORE DEMOCRATIC.

>> ALL RIGHT.

A LOT OF THINGS TO GET TO I HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANKS TO MIKE QUIGLEY, RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI AND RODNEY DAVIS THANKS AS ALWAYS.

>> AND NOW BRANDIS WE GO BACK TO YOU.

>> AND PARIS AS WE HEARD IN THE SHOW, VICE-PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS WAS IN CHICAGO TODAY TO DISCUSS VACCINE EQUITY WITH MAYOR LIGHTFOOT AND OTHER PUBLIC OFFICIALS.

IN RECENT MONTHS THE NUMBER OF BLACK AND BROWN CHICAGOANS WHO HAVE GOTTEN THE VACCINE HAS EXPANDED SIGNIFICANTLY IN PART THROUGH THE CITY'S PRIORITY ZIP CODE PROGRAM.

BUT HURDLES REMAIN IN GETTING SHOTS TO EVERY COMMUNITY.

ESPECIALLY AS COVID-19 CASES ARE ONCE AGAIN ON THE RISE IN ILLINOIS.

JOINING US NOW IS MERCEDES CARENTHON, AN EPIDEMIOLOGIST AND VICE-CHAIR OF PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE AT NORTHWESTERN'S FEINBERG SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

WELCOME BACK.

SO WE'VE SEEN THIS SURGE IN COVID CASES IN RECENT WEEKS.

HOW MUCH OF A THREAT DOES THIS POSE TO THE VACCINATION EFFORTS IN ILLINOIS AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

>> YOU KNOW WHAT THIS DOES IT EMPHASIZES THE URGENCY OF THE VACCINATION EFFORTS.

WE ARE FACING RISING CASES AFTER A FEW MONTHS WORTH OF DECLINES.

AND THAT IS DUE IN PART TO PEOPLE CIRCULATING MORE.

MORE THINGS ARE OPEN AND PLACES IN WHICH PEOPLE WILL CONGREGATE.

WE NEED TO STAY ON TOP OF THESE CASES BY KEEPING UP THE PACE OF VACCINATIONS.

>> NOW, AS WE MENTIONED VICE-PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS WAS IN CHICAGO TODAY TO DISCUSS VACCINE EQUITY.

HAVE THE CITY AND THE STATE DONE ENOUGH TO MAKE SURE THERE IS A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD THERE?

>> I REALLY THINK THAT THE ZIP CODE PROGRAM WAS SOLIDLY BASED IN SCIENCE.

THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS TO SUGGEST THAT VACCINATION BY ZIP CODE WHERE WE SEE CLUSTERS OF CASES AND AS WELL AS THE MOST SEVERE OUTCOMES, IS A GOOD STRATEGY TO REACH THOSE WHO ARE GOING TO BE THE MOST AFFECTED.

AND IN THE CITY WHERE WE HAVE CERTAIN RACIAL AND ETHNIC GROUPS CLUSTERING WITHIN THE ZIP CODES THIS DOES A DUEL JOB OF PROMOTING RACIAL EQUITY IN VACCINATION.

>> FOR A LONGTIME EARLY ON IN THE VACCINATION ROLL OUT WE HEARD ABOUT VACCINATION HESITANCY ESPECIALLY IN THE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES BUT WE'RE HEARING INFORMATION THOSE ATTITUDES ARE SHIFTING.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT WHO IS HESITANT TO GET THE VACCINE?

>> WE HAVE SEEN EXTREME IMPROVEMENT IN THE NUMBERS OF BLACK AND LATINX COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE WILLING TO BE VACCINATED AND PART IS THE SNOWBALL EFFECT.

SO SOMEBODY'S GRANDMOTHER WAS VACCINATED AND THEY WERE FINE.

ANOTHER YOUNG ADULT IS VACCINATED AND THEY SPEAK POSITIVELY ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE.

ALL OF THOSE ARE BENEFITS.

BUT THE BARRIER WE FACE IS HOW AN INDIVIDUAL SECURES A VACCINE APPOINTMENT.

I THINK WE STILL FACE INEQUITIES IN THE ABILITY TO SNATCH UP A SCARCE RESOURCE OF GETTING THAT VACCINE APPOINTMENT.

AND WHEN WE RELY ON TELEPHONE AND INTERNET-BASED SCHEDULING THAT ACTUALLY RULES OUT AN ENTIRE POPULATION WHO IS NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THOSE METHODS.

>> AND YOU TALKED ABOUT THIS, CHICAGO LAUNCHED THE PRIORITY ZIP CODE PROGRAM TO ADDRESS THAT DISPARITY AND WHO IS GETTING THE VACCINE AND YOU SAY IT'S BASED IN SCIENCE.

TELL US ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THAT PROGRAM?

>> SO WHAT IS HAPPENING IS THE ZIP CODES WHERE WE SEE A CONCENTRATION OF CASES THOSE ZIP CODES INDIVIDUALS WHO LIVE IN THE ZIP CODES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE SCARCE NUMBER OF SLOTS FOR VACCINATIONS BECAUSE WE ARE STILL SEEING DEMAND FOR VACCINATION IS OUTSTRIPPING SUPPLY.

SO IF WE ARE ABLE TO REACH PEOPLE IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS AND SPECIFICALLY INVITE THEM WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REACH OUT TO COMMUNITIES WHO ARE HARDEST HIT AND THE SCIENCE SUGGESTS THIS IS A VERY GOOD WAY WHEN WE GET TO THESE COMMUNITY BASED VACCINATIONS TO TRY TO STOP THE HARM THAT IS BEING DONE TO THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE HARDEST HIT.

>> SO PRESIDENT BIDEN TODAY HE MOVED UP THE DEADLINE FOR ALL AMERICANS TO BE ELIGIBLE.

HERE IS WHAT MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAID ABOUT THAT TODAY.

>> PRESIDENT HAS NOW MOVED UP THE TIMELINE FROM MAY FIRST TO APRIL 19TH FOR ALL ADULTS IN THE U.S. TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE VACCINE.

WE WILL MEET THAT DEADLINE.

WE NEED MORE VACCINE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BUT WE ARE OPTIMISTIC BASED UPON CONVERSATIONS THAT THAT OPPORTUNITY WILL HAPPEN.

>> THE MAYOR SAYING WE NEED MORE VACCINE AND MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WILL SOON BE VIABLE VYING FOR A VACCINE.

WHAT HURDLES REMAIN IN MAKING SURE THAT VACCINE ACCESS REMAINS EQUITABLE WHEN EVERYBODY IS ABLE TO GET IT?

>> I TOUCHED ON ONE BEFORE WHICH IS THAT APPOINTMENTS NEED TO BE MADE TO SECURE THE VACCINE.

HOWEVER, THE INTRODUCTION OF THE ONE-DOSE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE WHICH DOESN'T HAVE STORAGE REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE AS STRINGENT AS THE ORIGINAL TWO-DOSE VACCINES FROM MODERNA AND PFIZER, MEANS THAT WE WON'T HAVE TO DEFROST A CERTAIN NUMBER OF VACCINES AND INSURE THAT WE HAVE AN ARM TO STICK THEM INTO BEFORE WE START OUT.

WHAT IT MEANS IS THAT WITH THE ONE-DOSE J & J, WE CAN BRING IT TO PEOPLE IN COMMUNITIES AND BE ABLE TO REACH OUT.

AND THOSE ARE WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN GET TO THE HARDEST HIT COMMUNITIES >> NOW, SEVERAL WEEKS AFTER ILLINOIS AND CHICAGO REOPENED BARS AND PUBLIC SPACES THIS YEAR, CASES BEGAN TO RISE AGAIN.

ARE WE REOPENING TOO SOON AND EXPANDING THAT REOPENING TOO MUCH?

>> YOU KNOW IT IS A REAL CHALLENGE AND I AM SYMPATHETIC TO THE ECONOMIC STRAINS THAT THE MITIGATION MEASURES HAVE CAUSED FOR MANY COMMUNITIES.

AND IT APPEARS THAT WE ARE BALANCING THE RISK OF REWARD YOU KNOW IF WE KEEP BUSINESSES CLOSED, INDIVIDUALS LOSE THEIR LIVELIHOOD.

BUT WHEN WE REOPEN THE BUSINESSES, IT SERVES AS AN ENDORSEMENT THAT IT IS SAFE FOR PEOPLE TO CONGREGATE TOGETHER AND THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS A RISE IN RATES IN YOUNG ADULT POPULATIONS AND THESE YOUNG ADULT POPULATIONS ARE ONLY NOW ELIGIBLE FOR VACCINATION SO WHAT WE SAW HAPPEN WHAT WE COULD HAVE PREDICTED AND IT IS A HARD THING TO SEE BECAUSE AS A RESULT OUR CASE RATES ARE GOING UP.

AND THE LAGGING INDICATOR SUCH AS HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS ARE LIKELY TO FOLLOW.

BUT WE HAVE THESE BALANCING ECONOMIC AS WELL AS PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS AND RIGHT NOW, I THINK WE ARE WALKING A TOUGH BALANCE.

>> OK.

I'M SURE IT WILL REMAIN TOUGH FOR SOMETIME TO COME.

THANK YOU TO MERCEDES CARENTHON FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> CHICAGO HAS YET TO TURN THE CORNER ON RECYCLING.

WITH ITS ANNUAL RATE OF TRASH DIVERTED FROM LANDFILLS LESS THAN 10%.

BUT A CONTRACT SHAKE UP WITH A LOCAL COMPANY COULD MEAN CHANGE IS ON THE HORIZON.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER PATTY WETLI JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

PATTY, THE CITY'S DEPARTMENT OF STREETS AND SANITATION ANNOUNCES IT'S ENDED THE DEAL WITH WASTE MANAGEMENT AND IS WORKING WITH A NEW RECYCLING COMPANY WHO IS THE NEW COMPANY AND WHY IS THIS MOVE SIGNIFICANT?

>> WELL, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN A DECADE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF SANITATION OPENED UP THE CONTRACT TO PUT IT OUT FORBID.

SO LAKE SHORE RECYCLING WHICH ACTUALLY HAS BEEN COLLECTING RECYCLING FROM ONE OF THE CITY'S ZONES THROUGH A SUBCONTRACT, THEY GOT FOUR OF THE ZONES NOW.

SO WASTE MANAGEMENT WHICH HAD BEEN COLLECTING RECYCLING IS NOW OUT OF THE PICTURE.

AND IT'S SOLELY THE DEPARTMENT OF STREETS AND SAN AND LAKE SHORE RECYCLING THAT WILL BE MANAGING THE RECYCLING PROGRAM FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS.

>> RECYCLING ADVOCATES THEY ARE CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC.

WHY IS THAT?

>> WELL, OBVIOUSLY IT'S BEEN A TOUGH ROAD.

AS YOU NOTED WE HAVE BEEN MIRED IN THE CITY LESS THAN 10% RECYCLING.

THERE'S A LOT OF SKEPTICISM AMONGST RESIDENTS WHETHER THE CITY CAN MANAGE THIS PROGRAM AND SOME OF THAT HAD TO DO WITH A LOT OF PRACTICES WHERE RECYCLING WAS BEING LABELED AS CONTAMINATED AND IT WAS SENT TO LANDFILLS.

SO THEY ARE HOPEFUL THAT THIS SWITCH TO LAKE SHORE RECYCLING WILL BRING ABOUT A DIFFERENCE.

THERE'S DIFFERENT LANGUAGE IN THE CONTRACT.

AND WE'RE HOPING THAT WE CAN GET THAT RECYCLING RATE UP OVER 10%.

>> I'M SURE RESIDENTS ARE EAGER TO SEE HOW THIS GOES AS WELL.

PATTY WETLI THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ PATTY'S STORY ON OUR WEBSITE AT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND UP NEXT, A BAKERY THAT MIXES MEXICAN FLAVORS WITH JEWISH TRADITION.

FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... AS A GLOBAL DESTINATION FOR CULINARY ADVENTURE MEXICO CITY IS FULL OF EXCITING FLAVORS AMONG THEM IS THE FOOD CULTURE CREATED BY THE COMMUNITY OF MEXICAN JEWS WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER SOME OF THE BEST FOOD TRADITIONS.

TWO MEXICO CITY NATIVES BROUGHT THEIR VERSION OF THOSE FLAVORS TO CHICAGO.

>> THESE ARE FLAVORS WE GREW UP WITH.

WE ARE THINKING ABOUT THE DESSERTS OUR GRANDMOTHERS MADE OR MOTHERS MADE.

>> FLOWERLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE IS FAMILIAR DURING PASSOVER WHEN UNLEAVENED BREAD IS ALLOWED ON THE TABLE.

BUT THE FLAVORS OF MASA MADRE'S CHOCOLATE CAKE MIGHT NOT BE SO FAMILIAR.

THE GANACHE TOPPING THEIR CAKE FEATURES THE SPICES OF MEXICAN CAFE DE OLLA A TWIST THAT COMES FROM THE BAKER'S BLEND OF CULTURES.

IT IS A TWIST THEY ADD TO THE OTHER TRADITIONAL JEWISH PASTRIES THEY OFFER AS WELL.

>> I COME FROM A COMMUNITY IN MEXICO WHICH IS SEPHARDIC IT'S MIDDLE EASTERN.

PISTACHIOS, CARDAMOM ALL OF THE FLAVORS BUT WE HAVE LIKE THE TRES LECHES THE FLAVORS THAT ARE MEXICAN THAT ARE ALSO FROM OUR COMMUNITY.

>> CHALLAH IS A BREAD THAT IS BRAIDED.

IT IS A BREAD THAT IS MADE ON FRIDAYS FOR SHABBAT FOR JEWISH DAY OF REST.

BABKA IS DOUGH THAT IS ENRICHED IT HAS A LOT OF EGG AND EGG YOLKS AND OIL AND WE FILL IT WITH DIFFERENT FILLINGS THAT WE ACTUALLY INFUSE WITH OUR MEXICAN FLAVORS.

>> THE BAKERS BEHIND THE BABKA ARE ELENA VAZQUEZ FELGUERES AND TAMAR FASA UNIKEL.

THEY MET A DECADE AGO IN THEIR NATIVE MEXICO CITY WHILE STUDYING FASHION DESIGN.

ELENA VAZQUEZ FELGUERES MOVED TO CHICAGO SO HER WIFE COULD STUDY AT THE SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE AND TAMAR FASA UNIKEL ARRIVED TWO YEARS LATER SO HER HUSBAND COULD COMPLETE THE MASTERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO.

THE REUNION GAVE RISE TO A FLEDGLING BUSINESS.

>> WE ARE HAVING I HAVE DINNER AT HER HOUSE AND THINKING HOW CHICAGO NEEDED MORE BREAD MORE FRESH BREAD.

>> THE PAIR BEGAN SELLING HOMEMADE SOUR DOUGH LOAVES AT FARMERS MARKETS AND SWITCHED TO CONFECTIONS COMBINING MEXICAN AND JEWISH TRADITIONS.

THERE'S 40,000 JEWS IN MEXICO CITY.

SO IT'S QUITE A LARGE COMMUNITY AND IT'S VERY TIGHT.

SO THIS MIX OF FLAVORS, I FEEL LIKE IT'S HAPPENING A LOT IN MEXICO AND MEXICO CITY ESPECIALLY.

>> I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT THIS IS LIKE A MIX OF CULTURE THAT EXISTS SO THEY ARE SURPRISED.

>> BEFORE LONG DEMAND OUTGROWN WHAT THE HOME OVENS COULD PRODUCE.

>> WE WERE BAKING OUT OF OUR SMALL KITCHENS AT HOME AND IT WAS TAKING A LOT OF TIME TO MAKE.

>> AS THE CHALLAH GREW SO DID MASA MADRE.

LAST OCTOBER THEY MOVED THEIR BAKING TO THE HATCHERY A FOOD INCUBATOR ON CHICAGO'S WEST SIDE.

>> MORE BUSY WHICH IS GOOD.

>> SINCE THEIR SALES WERE CONDUCTED ENTIRELY ON-LINE, THE PANDEMIC HASN'T SLOWED THEM DOWN.

>> AFTER EVERYONE LIKE SHIFTED TOWARDS BEING ON-LINE PEOPLE STARTED GETTING MORE USED TO THE IDEA OF PREORDERING AND PICKING UP AND ALL OF THAT.

SO IT WAS EASY FOR US TO TRANSITION AND TO JUST FLOW WITH IT.

>> AND THEY SAY THAT SHARING THE FLAVORS OF HOME WITH CHICAGO HAS MADE CHICAGO FEEL MORE LIKE HOME FOR THEM, TOO.

>> I THINK IT WAS HARD TO FIND SOMETHING THAT COULD CONNECT US TO THE PEOPLE HERE AND AFTER WE STARTED MAKING BREAD AND LIKE SHARE TO GO WITH EVERYONE WE'VE MET SO MANY PEOPLE THROUGH THIS BUSINESS.

OTHER WOMEN, OTHER PEOPLE JUST TRYING TO MAKE SMALL BUSINESSES AND SHARE THEIR STORIES.

>> HAVING THIS BUSINESS HAS REALLY OPENED A SPACE FOR US HERE IN CHICAGO AND MADE A COMMUNITY AROUND US.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS ERIKA GUNDERSON.

>> SHOULD NOT HAVE WATCHED THAT ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.

THE CHOCOLATE CAKE IS OFF THE MENU UNTIL NEXT PASSOVER BUT BABKA IS OFFERED YEAR-ROUND AND OTHER TREATS.

YOU CAN FIND INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE.

THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

>> JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT FOR LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. >> I AM FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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